Nanostructured design of electrocatalyst support materials for high-performance PEM fuel cell application

Carbon-supported platinum (Pt/C) catalysts with controlled morphologies, namely, “dense-erythrocyte-like (DEL)” and “hollow-porous-microsphere (HPM)” have been synthesized by spray-drying followed by impregnation of 10 wt.% of Pt nanoparticles. Addition of polystyrene latex (PSL) template particles plays a crucial role to determine the carbon morphology, which was confirmed by SEM and TEM images. The preparation of modified catalyst support was completed in only several seconds for DEL and less than 1 h for HPM, which is contrary to currently available methods that require time up to several days to complete the modified catalyst support synthesize. Pt nanoparticles are agglomeration-free, and well-dispersed on the surface of the carbon particles with the size around 4 nm. The electrocatalytic activity of the modified Pt/C catalyst particles was comparable to that of a commercially available Pt/C catalyst (TKK). The specific activity of the Pt/CHPM catalyst was 2 times higher than that of Pt/CDEL catalyst, and was up to 2.5 times than that of the commercial one. The mass activity of Pt/CHPM was 239.57 mA mg−1 Pt and also shows a great enhancement, about 1.55 times higher than the commercial.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Carbon morphology was successfully controlled for catalyst support.
► Droplet density influences the morphology of carbon particles.
► Spherical particles were obtained by decreasing the droplet density.
► Carbon surface area influences the Pt loading.
► Pt/CHPM presents higher catalyst performance than Pt/CDEL and commercial catalyst (TKK).